Bruce fears losing Arsenal defender

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Djourou has impressed since his temporary move to Blues in the summer, initially in midfield and then at centre-back, before suffering a hamstring injury.

Johan Djourou has impressed on his loan spell at Birmingham

But Bruce knows extending the deal past the January transfer window may prove difficult, particularly as Gunners defender Kolo Toure will be required for African Nations Cup duty by the Ivory Coast in the new year.

It is one of several issues that Bruce wants to try to resolve but his hands are tied until prospective new owner Carson Yeung reveals his plans.

Bruce, who is hoping to meet Yeung this weekend, said: "You are thinking ahead to January already. Will Djourou go back to Arsenal? With Kolo Toure probably be needed for the African Nations Cup? That could well happen.

"If he goes back, there's a big decision we've got to try and sort out. Johan has shown already he is a class act.

"We've lost Borja Oubina through injury for the season. A midfielder of his type is what we needed. He lasted 10 to 11 minutes at Liverpool but you could see he had something.

"There is Mikael Forssell and the injury problems he has had. That is another one to be addressed. Then of course you've got people drifting out of contract like Mehdi Nafti who need to be sorted for the future.

"All of those issues as a manager you try to put into place. You try to do your homework now and say 'that's what we need'.

"You might need a centre-half, a central midfielder, a striker. But you can't do anything at the moment."

Forssell is hoping to play some part in Saturday's home clash with Wigan after a month on the sidelines following a hernia operation.

He played 90 minutes for the reserves against Derby on Monday.